BackForward Satellite Programme: Sky Satellite 

Programme details
Programme description
  • Series of satellites for high-resolution land observation.  The first two, experimental, have been named SkySat 1 and 2.  Further operational units are named SkySat-C
  • Commercially-based programme, initiated in 2013 by Skybox Imaging Inc., Mountain View, California., USA.  In March 2016 the Company has been re-named "Terra Bella", associated to Google.  Data managed by Planet Labs Inc., San Francisco, CA, USA
  • The platforms are actively stabilised over 3 axes.
  • The design life time is 5 years.
  • The satellites exploit a sunsynchronous orbit around 10:30.
  • The replacement policy is based on frequent launches to implement a constellation.  After SKySat 1, 2 and C1, satellites are launched as clusters of more flight units (next ones: SkySat-C 2 to 5 and SkySat-C 6 to 11).
  • For details on the Skybox Imaging company see http://www.skybox.com
Data circulation
  • Direct access to the SkySat constellation is possible through a SkyNode terminal provided by Skybox.
  • Archived data available from Skybox Imaging Inc..  Since 2014, processed and distributed by Planet Labs Inc., San Francisco, CA, USA.
Agencies Terra Bella , Planet
Programme lifetime 2013 - 2025
Associated satellites and instruments

Note: red tag => no longer operational , green tag => operational , blue tag => planned